Your Child Is in Danger! - Conclusion of Educate Your Child!

 

One widely recommended teaching tool is  the "What if . . . ? game.  You might, for example, ask: "What if your teacher told you to hit another child? What would you do?"  Or,  "What if (Mommy or Daddy, a minister, a policeman) told you to jump off a tall building?  The child's answer may be inadequate or simply wrong, but don't correct harshly.  The game need not include shock or scare tactics;  in fact, experts recommend that it be played in a gentle, loving even playful manner.

Next, teach children to fend of displays of affection that are inappropriate or that make them feel uncomfortable. Ask, for example, "What if a friend of Mommy and Daddy  wanted to kill you in a way that made you feel funny?" It is best to encourage the child to act out  what he or she would do, making it a "lets pretend game.

In the same way, children can learn to resist other tactics of abusers.  For example, you might ask:  "What if someone says,  'You know, you're my favorite. Don't you want to be my friend?" When the child learns to resist such ploys, discuss others. You might ask:  "If someone says 'You don't want to hurt my feelings, do you?'  What will you say?"  Show the child how to say no through words and clear. firm body language.  Remember, abusers often test how children respond to subtle advances. So a child must be taught to resist firmly and say: "I'm telling on you." 

Next time: Your Child Is in Danger! - Be Thorough in Your Training 

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